Top 5 Popular Hill stations to visit South India
Updated: Jul 24, 2021
The hill stations across the globe are perfect summer retreats for those who wish to enjoy nature at its very best. The chilly weather, hot coffee, tasty food, lush green plantations, panoramic landscapes, and fun activities; a thought alone can make us feel elated. From the majestic Himalayas of the North, to the rolling green hills of the South, India is home to
plenty of beautiful hill stations you can soak in natural beauty. Here are some of the most sought after tourist destinations in South India that can be enjoyed during the holidays and also know more on how these Indian destinations have contributed to tourism sector.
1. Ooty
Ooty, the Queen of Hill stations, welcome you with mesmerizing meadows, soothing environment, cool weather and a wide array of sightseeing places to visit and admire. This gem among southern hill resorts is covered in eucalyptus and pine trees and coffee and tea plantations. Traversing through the majestic Nilgiri Mountains, a picturesque lake, colonial charm evoking memories of an older India, members of the Toda tribe living in peaceful co-existence with the city and nature’s artistry at every step.
Places to visit : Avalanche Lake, Ooty Lake, Emerald Lake, Ooty Botanical Gardens, Deer Park, Doddabetta Peak, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Kamraj Sagar Dam, Rose Garden, St Stephens Church & etc.
How to Reach Ooty ?
Nearest Railway station : Mettupalayam is about 47 Km away from Ooty
Nearest Airport : Coimbatore Airport is about 88 Km away from Ooty
2. Munnar
Munnar is probably God’s favourite city in his own country. This beautiful hill station in Kerala is characterized by tea-plantation-lined mountains, a whiff of exotic spices, and greenery that will put a smile on your face. The Mattupetty Dam with its lake and Indo-Swiss farm is bliss redefined. Munnar is a quaint town and an idyllic hill station located in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in the district of Idukki, Munnar used to be the summer resort of the British rulers during colonial times. It is known for its green belt of lush forests and unending expanse of tea estates and is also home to some of the endangered species of animals like Neelakurinji and Nilgiri Tahr. It is known to be one of the most sought after tourist destinations in South India due to its pristine valleys, mountains, and exotic varieties of flora and fauna.
Places to visit : Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Peak, Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Tea Museum, Rose Garden, Echo Point, Attukal Waterfall, Photo Point, Cheeyappara Waterfall, Blossom Park & etc.
How to Reach Munnar ?
Nearest Railway Station : Aluva about 108 km and Angamali, about 109 km
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport, via Aluva - Munnar Rd, about 108 km
3. Coorg
Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is a popular coffee producing hill station. It is popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. Coorg or Kodagu is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India, rightly deserving the title ‘Scotland of India’. This sleepy town commands spectacular views of the Western Ghats and numerous waterfalls, temples, forts and plantations add to its attraction. This enchantingly beautiful place is popularly called as the ‘Scotland of India’ and also ‘Kashmir of South’.
Places to visit : Abbey Falls, Chiklihole Reservoir, Dubare Elephant Camp, Harangi Dam, Honnamana Kere Lake, Omkareswara Temple, Madikeri Fort, Mallalli Falls, Nalknad Aramane Palace , Nehru Mantap & etc.
How to Reach Coorg ?
Nearest Railway Station : Mysore Junction is about 95 Km away from Coorg
Nearest Airport : Mangalore Airport is about 160 Km away from Coorg
4.Yercaud
Located at a height of 1500 meters above sea level, this place guarantees many beautiful scenic locales and you will have something new to wonder at every turn. Due to its unspoiled and pristine nature, Yercaud is a paradise for nature lovers, trekkers and adventurers, with various trek tours that take you to spots like Kiliyur Falls and Tipperary Point. It sees less crowd than most hill-stations, which is why it remains fairly raw and thereby, cost-effective. Beautified by fruit orchards and spice & coffee plantations, the hill also reaps in its merit from its flora and fauna that intrigues all kinds of vacationers. Epitomized as the Jewel of South India, the untouched charm of this lake hill-station and its quaintness, undoubtedly, makes it one of the topmost places to visit.
Places to visit : Yercaud Lake, 32-km Loop Road, Pagoda Point, Silk Farm and Rose Garden, Bears Cave, Kottachedu Teak Forest, Kiliyur waterfall, Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple, Tipperary View Point, Deer Park & etc.
How to Reach to Yercaud ? Nearest Railway Station : Salem junction is about 38 Km away from Yercaud
Nearest Airport : Salem Airport is about 38 Km away from Yercaud
5. Kodaikanal
Comprised of densely wooded jungles, undulating hill slopes, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, and verdure valleys-Kodaikanal's scenic beauty never fails to mesmerise travellers. Often referred to as the 'Princess of Hills', Kodaikanal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. Situated at an elevation of 7000 feet above sea-level, along the crest of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal leaves travellers spoilt for choice while it comes to the places to visit. Kodaikanal, the princess of hill station, is mainly known for being honeymoon destinations among other places in India.The beautiful place of Kodaikanal welcomes you with a fall in the temperature accompanied by scenic beauty.
Places to visit : Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant Park, Silver Cascade Falls, Pillar Rocks, Bear Shola Falls, Coaker’s Walk, Guna Cave or Devil’s Kitchen, Moir Point, Dolphin’s Nose, Thalaiyar Falls, Kurinji Andavar Temple & etc.
How to Reach to Kodaikanal ?
Nearest Railway Station : Kodai Road Station is about 80 Km away from Kodaikanal
Nearest Airport : Madurai Airport is about 120 Km away from Kodaikanal